Order anything by pointing in Basque
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Basque words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Basque phrases in this lesson
- ... nahi nukeNA-hee NOO-ke
- I would like...
- HauHOW
- This one
- Zenbat da?ZEN-bat da
- How much is it?
- Kontua, mesedezkon-TOO-a, me-SE-des
- The bill, please
- Txartelazchar-te-LAS
- By card
- Dirutandee-ROO-tan
- In cash
- UraOO-ra
- Water
- Kafeaka-FE-a
- Coffee
- TeaTEH-ah
- Tea
- Garagardoaga-ra-gar-DO-a
- Beer
- ...gabeGA-be
- Without...
The polite "I would like": "kafe bat nahi nuke". In busy bars, the item plus mesedez is all anyone says.
Point and say it. At a pintxos counter, this plus a finger is all you need.
A simple, direct question for the price. The "z" at the start sounds like the "s" in "sun." Use it at markets, pintxos bars, and shops.
In many pintxos bars, the bill is tallied by counting your used toothpicks or plates. "Kontua" signals you are ready to pay up and leave.
Card payment is widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. In smaller villages and markets, cash is still preferred. Ask before you order if unsure.
"Diru" means money in Basque. Carrying some cash is always wise, especially for pintxos bars where the tab is often settled quickly at the end.
Tap water in the Basque Country is safe to drink and often very good quality. Ask for "ura" at restaurants to avoid being brought expensive bottled water automatically.
"Kafe bat", a coffee. A cortado is "ebakia" (e-ba-KEE-a), cut.
"Te bat", one tea. The -a on the end is the Basque article.
"Garagardo bat", one beer. A small glass of beer is a zurito (soo-REE-to).
Goes after the word: "azukrerik gabe" (a-soo-KRE-reek GA-be), without sugar.